Tire-armor.



R. E. JOHNSON.

TIRE ARMOR. APPLICATION FILED AUG. 20. 190B 1 Patented 001;.26. 1909.

Eu sELLE 1T UHN UN o o m rm w To all whom it may 'concern:

Be it known that I', "RUssELL E. JOHNSON, a citizen of the;.United States,'residing at Caledonia, in the county of Houston and State of Minnesota, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Tire- Armors, of which the following a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in armorsfor pneumatic tires, and the object thereof is to provide a device of the class set forth which may be attached .to'any type of tire to prevent puncturing and skidding ofthe latter.

To the accomplishment of the recited objects and others coordinate therewith, the preferred embodiment of the invention resides in that construction and arrangement of parts hereinafter described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings and embraced within the scope of the appended claims.

In said drawings:Figure l is a transverse sectional elevation of a pneumatic tire and appurtenances, embodying the applica tion of one form of my invention. Fig. 2 is I a top plan view of a portion of the armor.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary longitudinal section taken along lines 33 of Fig. 1-. Fig. 4 is a top plan View of a modified. form of armor, and Figs. 5 and 6 are perspective views of two forms of metallic elements.

Similar reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

In carrying out my invention, I have devised an armorcomprising a plurality of metallic elements, which in their organization present an arrangement that is analogous to the relatively positioned scales of a fish, and while I may vary the shape of these elements or scales at will, for the sake of illustration, I have in the present instance shown only two distinct forms, which are of suggestive scope sufficient to afford full exemplification of the principle.

Referring more particularlyto the drawings, the numeral 1 designates the scales. These elements are substantially U-shaped,

and are provided at their proximal ends= with an upwardly extending, conoidal, antislipping projection (2), the other end 113V. ing a depending fastening projection (3), both of said rojections being constructed as integral portions of the scale. The scales (4) exhibited in Figs. 4 and 6, involve.the

. Same general features, the only deviation bean sirarns PA ENT; OFFICE.

pearmin of Letters Patent; pat nte t, 2 1909.

: '3 Application filed August 20, 1908. Serial No. 449,476. v

ing that the said scales have a diamondshaped contour.

These scales are also provided with anti-slipping projections 5 and fastenin projections 6.

Consi ering the scales as an entirety, they are comparatively thick atthe center and taper from this point to each side. I also prefer to curve each element to conform to the periphery of the tire. Thus the scales are segmental in longitudinal section and arcuate in transverse section.

In use the members are arranged in overlapping series, transversely of a suitable piece of canvas, as (7),which is adapted to partially encircle the tire and be secured thereto, adjacent the junction of the canvas with the telly (8), at intervals by'rivets (9). Or if desired, the armor may be applied directly to the entire exposed portion of the tire. The depending projections (3) are subsequently up-set and in this manner each scale is clenched to the canvas or the tire, as the case may be. Ample protection is afforded if the scales are arranged on the tread portion of the tire, although they may be continued until they are in proximity to the felly, when the occasion requires. In fact the anti-slipping projections may be confined to just a few rows of the scales, and eliminated from the remainder.

As contemplated by this invention it is of the utmost importance to position the scales independently of one another, in contradistinction to interlocking parts, so that the tire will not be subjected to any concentrated strain.

Another salient feature of my armor, is the adoption of integrally formed projec-' tions as a fastening medium, whereby the accumulation of dirt, mud, or the like is prevented. v

.This'tire armor is cheap tomanufacture, applied with facility, and thoroughly effective as a preventive of punctures, rupture and skidding'of the tire. Furthermore, it is free to give corres ondingly to the fiuctuations in the "sizeo the tire due tothe variation of impending weight, and undulatory courses.

It should be understood that in its broader aspect the invention comprehends the employment not only of the various means described, but of equivalent means for performing the recited functions. \Vhile the arrangementshown is thought, at the present time. to be preferable, it-is desired to reserve the right to effect such modifications and variations thereof as may come fairly within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed, is:

l. The combination with a n'eumatie tire, of an armor comprising a series of non-locking elements arranged in fish scale formation, each of said elements being segmental in longitudinal section and arcuate in transverse section, oppositely disposed projections arranged on the proximal ends of each element, one of said projections extending downwardly and serving as a fasteningmeans, and the other projection extending upwardly and serving as anti-slipping means.

2. The combination with a pneumatic tire, of an armor comprisin a series of elements arranged in fish scale formation, oppositely disposed projections disposed on the roximal ends of each element, one of sai [projections extending downwardly and serving as afastening means, and the other projee-' FRANK STEELE, VICTOR JOHNSON.

25 In testimony whereof I hereunth atlix my 

